§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. P. J. Kelly, J.P., at a meeting of the Kilcreede branch of an association known as the Sinn Fein Association, held for the purpose of honouring and perpetuating the memory of a man named Daly, who was hanged for shooting a land agent, said he was 570 proud to see so many rebel men present to commemorate the anniversary of the execution of the man Daly, and that, after asking the Dublin Castle note-taker to take down carefully what he said, he declared that he and his audience were prepared to act in the same way as Antony Daly; whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Kelly holds His Majesty's commission of the peace, and of the nature of the speech in question, the Government intends to take any action in the matter; and whether he will draw the attention of the Lord Chancellor to the matter, with a view to the removal of Mr. Kelly from the magistracy.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the police authorities that the meeting in question was held for the purpose of raising funds for placing a tombstone upon the grave of Antony Daly. I have not been able to ascertain the precise offence for which Daly was executed in the year 1820. A newspaper report of the time says it was "for being a Ribbonman," and an official letter described it as being "for an attack on a house." I am informed that it is as a Ribbonman that Daly is locally remembered. I am not aware that any police shorthand note-taker was present on the occasion referred to. As regards the latter part of the Question, the matter lies within the jurisdiction of the Lord Chancellor and not of the Irish Government.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible for this House to approach the Lord Chancellor except through the right hon Gentleman?
MR. BRYCEIt is no business of the Irish Government to interfere with the Lord Chancellor's discretion.